No, your undergraduate degree does not need to be in Kinesiology. Your undergraduate degree may be in any field of study as long as it is a 4 year, 120 credit degree completed at an accredited University recognized by the University of Alberta.

If you are interested in applying for the course-based Masters of Science in Physical Therapy program (MScPT), we strongly advise that you complete your thesis-based Masters prior to applying. The MScPt program is a full time, intensive program with long hours and placement requirements. It does not allow for the flexibility to complete your thesis while being immersed in the MScPT program.

Yes, you need to complete the following prerequisite courses. The anatomy course must be complete with final grade showing on your transcript at time of application. The other prerequisites can show as in-progress on your transcript at time of application.

English (3 credits) General course with assessment of reading, writing, literature and essay composition. Can be introductory level. Humanities or Social Science courses will not be accepted in lieu. Business Communication and Technical English courses are not acceptable.

Human Anatomy (3 credits) Must be a separate course focusing on gross HUMAN anatomy. PTHER 350 is the recommended course. Must be completed within five years of applying. Ie. If you are applying for the 2018 intake, your anatomy must be completed after January 2013 but before January 2018

We recommend that applicants complete their Human Anatomy and Human Physiology prerequisites within the most recent 2 years of application to the program for their own benefit. The Physical Therapy program requires a comprehensive background in Human Anatomy and Human Physiology in order to succeed. We have found that students who have taken their Anatomy and Physiology many years prior to starting in the program tend to struggle. As of 2017 admissions, it will be required that Anatomy be completed within the most recent 5 years. Please see the notes here for further information.

No, Physical Therapy does not have a course load requirement for admission. We do however recommend that PT applicants complete at least one year of a full course load in their undergraduate degree. The work and course load in Physical Therapy is quite heavy and it is beneficial for the applicant to have an idea of what that is like and to determine if they can handle it.

We determine your GPA by calculating your most recent 60 credits taken prior to February of the admission year (This calculation does not include physical activity or studio courses, practicums, field experience, or work terms). A minimum GPA of 3.0 on the University of Alberta 4-point grading system or an equivalent standing from another recognized institution is required, but the average competitive GPA for Alberta applicants is >3.6 and for non-Alberta applicants is >3.9.

No, if both attempts at a course were completed within the most recent 60 credits (prior to February of the admission year) then the grades for both attempts would be included in the GPA calculation. Courses completed extra to degree will be counted only once within the GPA calculation, i.e., you cannot take the same course multiple times to boost your GPA.

No, we do not conduct a separate GPA calculation on prerequisite courses. We only look to ensure that they have been successfully completed. As of 2017 admissions, the grade received in an applicants Anatomy prerequisite will be used in the assessment of admission. Please see the notes here for further information.

If you are looking to upgrade your GPA to be competitive for admission to Physical Therapy, please ensure you take University level courses from an accredited institution. Senior courses are recommended, however courses do not need to be in a specific field.

Fulfilling the minimum criteria only guarantees consideration for admission. All applicants meeting the application requirements are ranked based upon GPA and the top 30% (approximate) are then invited to participate in the interview. Following the interview, GPAs are re-ranked and the top applicants are offered admission to the program. Successful applicants tend to significantly exceed the admission criteria both quantitatively and qualitatively.

Yes. Applicants need to complete a minimum of 30 hours of volunteer or paid experience with individuals that have cognitive or physical disabilities. Applicants must have their primary work supervisor complete a Verification of Work Experience form and return the completed form to the applicant. The applicant then must upload the completed form to the Graduate Studies online application before the deadline.

Yes, you must upload a transcript (front and back page) in pdf format from each university, college, technical school, etc. ever attended. This includes transfer, exchange, graduate level, part-time, distance programs, general interest courses and spring/summer sessions, even though you may or may not have received transfer credit at another institution.

- Applicants must demonstrate a high level of proficiency in English as English is the primary language of instruction at the University of Alberta. Physical Therapists within Canada require a high level of English language skills to effectively communicate with patients and other professionals.

- Applicants with degrees/qualifications in a language other than English may need to demonstrate English Language Proficiency through an approved English language exam, or the completion of EAP 550 through the Faculty of Extension at the University of Alberta.

- The Department of Physical Therapy considers the following as the minimum requirement;

-- A TOEFL (paper based) score of 580. You must also complete a TSE with a score of at least 50

-- A TOEFL (internet based) score of 92 - no scale score less than 20

-- A TOEFL (computer based) score of 237

-- An IELTS overall band score of 6.5 with at least five on each band

-- For all other approved English language examinations the approved score is the minimum score accepted by FGSR. The Department of Physical Therapy also reserves the right to require further demonstration of English language proficiency (Section 203.2.4 of the University of Alberta Calendar).

-- Please be aware that scores more than two years old cannot be verified; therefore if your exam was completed more than two years ago you will be required to re-take the test.

If your composite score following the MMI (interview) is high enough to be given an offer, the Department of Physical Therapy will make all reasonable efforts to make an offer to your preferred campus location. In the event all seats are filled at your preferred location by applicants with a higher composite score, you will be offered a seat at your second choice and given the option of being placed on a wait-list for your preferred location.